Abuse or playing?

Question

I recently moved into a new apartment with my boyfriend. Its very nice, and we are so pleased. It's not in a bad area, it had great amneties, security and so on.

I've been here almost a month and am beginning to be suspicous about my neighbors upstairs. Yesterday my bf and I were getting ready for bed and heard what we thought was loud intercourse. Because it was so loud we decided to listen and giggled for a good 20 minutes until we realized it wasn't sex. It's the children upstairs being loud. But I can't tell if its playing or abuse.

Today the mother came home with her boyfriend and the moment the pulled up all I heard was running upstairs. When they entered the apt it got extremely loud and heard large bangs and screaming. I heard "don't do this to me your my cousin". Someone else just left and I heard the kid cry "yey, they gone" and shut the balcony door.

If it does end up being abuse, do I ask the kids if they are ok and try to get them out... do I report it?

It isn't normal playing. I am positive about this, I just need to know for sure. Normal playing doesn't sound like what Im hearing.

Answer 1

sounds like spoiled kids....maybe they had company, like the cousin, and they were being mean to the other kids....i wouldn't worry about it right now. Just complain to the landlord that there is an awful lot of rucus up there, they can handle it for now!
My kids beat on each other all day long, we don't live in an apartment, but if we did...i'm sure our neighbors would think we were beating our kids too!

Answer 2

You need to go up there and bang on the door when you hear the noise and act as if the only reason your up there is becasue of the noise and look in. If you get any kind of bad feeling call Social Services. Or maybe just call them anywhy because you already have a bad feeling. I live in apartments before and usually you know when the kids are just running around and stomping on the floor.

Answer 3

Unless you see a child hit, struck, see bruises, burn marks etc I would steer clear of them all.

Sounds like they have family issues or money problems, something and they are stressed out. To have an outsider step in, no matter how softly, will only result in rage from them. In turn pulling you into their battle. Making your home life rough, etc.

If anything report them to the landlord or police as a noise problem but never say who you are, it will always get back to the trouble makers and they will make life tougher for you. Rememebr they live above you, they could easily make your life rough.

Find a better hobby then worrying what the neighbors are doing....you aren't suppose to do that stuff untill you are at least a grandma.

Answer 4

Well this situation does seem kinda of confusing. I think that you should try to ask the kids in a way that they would understand your question and not misinterpret the question, "What's going on?" Because you don't want them to tell their parents that the nosy neighbors where asking questions. I understand your concern because sometimes kids don't dare to ask for help, and is our duty to protect the kids. Another thing you should know that there are families that are loud by nature, like Hispanic and African American families. I tell you this because I'm Hispanic and I remember my family and I were loud. Good Luck, I know that when you know what's going on you will do the right thing.

Answer 5

Contact social services and tell them your story. They can investigate and never bring your name up to your neighbor - allowing you to stay out of a potentially dangerous situation and still know that you've done something to help these kids if they need it.

Your other option is to contact the school that the children attend and talk to a guidance counselor. The counselor can talk to the children and determine if the authorities need to be involved.

Don't approach the neighbor or the children. You aren't really trained to handle this situation and you could potentially do more harm than good.

Answer 6

Whatever you do do not ask the kids because that gets you envolved acording to police and social services. If you think something is not right you need to diffently tell police or social services. Do NOT get involed by asking the kids. In worse case senerio if something is happing and the kids are afraid to tell you and someone dies and another kid says to the police or social services they talked to you. you are in so much trouble. Make a record for one day of what you heard, what time you heard it, and if it sounded like the person or persons was scared, happy, mad ,ect. and give the report to the police or social services.

Answer 7

Call the child abuse hot line. It's a 1 800 number and you dont have to tell them who you are. They will check it out. Just tell them you think it's some molesting thing going on and you want to make sure. They will come at the time you tell them that the perverts come home. if they are in fact pervies anyway. but yeah call them. i knew of a few people who called AND SAVED CHILDRENS LIVES! REALLY! dont let a child be molested, beating or going hungry HELP IS THERE! CALL THE CHILD ABUSE OR GO ONLINE AND GET THE NUMBER AND FAST!!!

Answer 8

You should call your local Department of Social Services and ask to speak to a Child Protective Services caseworker. He/she can advise you and if it's felt that there might be a problem, they will investigate. You can report anonymously if you wish and are concerned about problems later on with the neighbors.

It's never good to guess and second-guess. Just let the professionals handle it and let them weed through domestic confusion and problems like that. They're trained and we're not :)

Answer 9

I would try to get a look at the kids and see if they have any obvious bruise marks or hurt places. If they do and you think it is from the parents, you should report it. If the kids don't look hurt, you should ask them to make sure. If they are being abused, report them.

Answer 10

Act quickly tell the cops or someone that will do somthing! You never know , the mom could be an alcholic, and that abuse could get out of hand and one of those kids could get hurt, worse, die. Don't talk to those kids, it will only get you involved. Just tell the police and you won't go to court, cuz the mom will sue. GOOD LUCK!!!!